Federal Government Moves To Fast-track Trial Of 5,000 Suspected Terrorists, Introduces DNA Profiling

The Federal Government has announced plans to accelerate the trial of about 5,000 terrorism suspects currently being held in various pre-trial detention facilities across the country.

The move, aimed at reducing the mounting backlog of terrorism cases, was contained in the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

According to the document, the NCTC’s legal team, in collaboration with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Federal Ministry of Justice, has begun reviewing case files to expedite prosecutions or dismiss charges lacking sufficient evidence.

“At present, there are approximately 5,000 individuals suspected of having been involved in terrorism-related offences who are being held in pre-trial detention. This has resulted in a significant backlog of cases,” the NCTC stated.

“The legal team has been working with the Defence Staff and the Federal Ministry of Justice to either expedite these prosecutions or dismiss outstanding charges that have not been sufficiently substantiated to proceed to trial.”

The centre revealed that its support framework enabled the prosecution of 393 terrorism-related cases in 2024, leading to 329 convictions, an 84 per cent conviction rate, up from 41.5 per cent recorded in 2018.

It added that charges against about 1,200 detainees were reviewed and dismissed, paving the way for their release and resettlement.

“The support provided to the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal High Court helped to enable the prosecution of 393 new cases, resulting in 329 convictions. Indeed, the conviction rate has increased markedly from 41.5% in 2018 to 84% in 2024,” the NCTC noted.

“The charges against a further 1,200 individuals were reviewed and ultimately dismissed, resulting in their release from custody and resettlement back into their communities.”

The NCTC added that terrorism-related hearings were being coordinated by the Federal High Court sittings in Wawa Military Cantonment, Kainji, Niger State, and in Abuja.

The new plan also revealed that Nigeria is introducing DNA profiling as part of a proposed National Database on Terrorism to improve investigation, prosecution, and intelligence-sharing among security agencies.

The database, to be domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), will serve as a central repository for information on known and suspected terrorists, including biometric and DNA data.

“The intention is that this database will contain full identifying particulars on known and suspected members of terrorist groups, including, where possible, biometric data and a DNA profile,” the document stated.

“It will be populated with information from correctional and detention facilities, law enforcement and security partners, and intelligence recovered by staff from the Directorate of Intelligence.”

Security analysts said the development could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, particularly in identifying repeat offenders, tracking foreign fighters, and dismantling regional networks.